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Published Articles by Michael Morris

Sacramento splits series with highway 80 rival

While many were off work on this Memorial Day, the River Cats were busy hammering away at Aces Ballpark. Sacramento scored 12 runs in the last four innings en route to a 16-5 win.

Heading into the final game of the four-game Reno road trip, the Aces had a chance to be the first team this season to win a series at home against Sacramento. Through the first four innings it looked like the Aces would knock off the River Cats for the first time this year, but luckily for the River Cats it’s not how you start but how you finish.

After a lead-off triple in the first inning by Jemile Weeks and a walk from newest River Cat Scott Sizemore (acquired from Detroit in David Purcey trade), Matt Carson hit a home run to score three early. The River Cats would score one more before going through the order making it a 4-0 lead for Sacramento.

The Aces scored two in the bottom of the first after a two-run homer by Wily Mo Pena, His 17th home run of the season.

Pena had a lead-off double in the fourth that put Reno in position to tie the game and take the lead. However, Reno was only able to put two runs on the board, tying the game until the sixth inning when Sacramento took the lead and didn’t look back.

Shane Peterson hit his fifth home run of the season to start the inning and Anthony Recker brought in Sizemore to give the River Cats their third two-run lead of the game. The River Cats scored five in the eighth and five more in the ninth to seal the win.

Carson (six) and Peterson (three) combined for nine RBIs in the game. Carson hit a ground-rule double early in the eight and he hit his second home run of the night in the ninth inning. Sizemore showed us why he was worthy of being acquired, going 3-for-4 on the day. Sizemore scored four runs and walked twice.

The River Cats as a team only struck out three times and walked nine. They combined for 19 hits, one shy of 20, the most they have had this year. However, the 16 runs are the most by the Cats this season.

With Sacramento winning and Las Vegas losing, the River Cats extend their first-place lead to two games in the division.

The River Cats will be back in Sacramento on Tuesday as they will start a home series against Salt Lake with, “The Cuban Professor,” Yadel Marti (2-0, 4.72) going against Bees left-hander Ryan Ketchner (2-2, 4.20).